Many feel it’s time the federal government stopped harrassing actors.
“This move goes to encourage a parallel economy. Artists take cheques, there's no black money or cash. Now they are going to need to take cash. It will be a burden at the producers. Because it is the federal government doesn't help film industry and now this may become a problem,” Hema told IANS.
The government announced plans to levy the tax on actors’ acting in addition to endorsement assignments, starting Sunday. It is going to be in an addition to the income tax they pay.
Vipul Shah, who produced “Singh Is Kinng” and “Force”, is concerned concerning the producers’ woes.
“It is a terrible decision. They have got the left the producers with nothing. Maybe they're under the parable that the film industry has lot of cash and so decided to place a tax on it. The ticket rates don’t have any service tax, so ultimately it's the producers who pay it from their pockets,” Shah told IANS.
He says the verdict may have a right away impact on producers of small budgets films.
“More films will lose its money within the coming days. Just imagine in regards to the small budget films and other regional films… how do they pay service tax on every technician? I'M HOPING they realise that its a wrong decision,” the producer added.
Actors are dejected by the move.
“With this service tax, there'll be some more jobless actors… Blame it at the tax?Very soon all actors’ payment will go on to the federal government and they'll start giving us the little per cent that may be left for us as salary, Arshad tweeted Monday.
Terming the verdict as “ridiculous”, Divya Dutta tweeted: “‘They’ do not know how one of the actors survive on this tough terrain of our profession. We're as much employed professionals as any in any field.
“I strongly appeal one and all of our college to face ‘tall’ against the implementation of such injustice. Please spread the word.”
Divya believes this development will impact the strugglers greater than it might affect the established stars.
“That tax thing is ok for many who (are) doing well, but for individuals who (are) struggling, not a fair news to pay more,” she added.
Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, who's set to make her acting debut with “Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi”, is disappointed.
“And just as I’ve turned ‘actress’, the federal government has decided to also charge 12.5 per cent service tax to all actors! That is an excessive amount of. Kitna nichodogey yaar (How much will you squeeze us)?” posted Farah.
Calling the federal government “corrupt”, actress Sonam said: “We are only filling every politicians pockets with money. If my money really went into developing my country I’d be more than pleased to present it.” – IANS
